Porvair to pay €20.5m for German filter firm

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Diez, Drache is active in the development, manufacture, and distribution of filters, consumables and equipment for the molten metal industry - and is a leading supplier to the aluminium filtration market.

Under its existing management team, Drache will join the King’s Lynn-based group’s Metal Melt Quality division, bringing complementary products and engineering experience, while expanding the division’s global reach with a new European base alongside its American and Asian operations.

The Metal Melt Quality division operates in attractive end markets, including growing global demand for aluminium filtration. This global growth trend is underpinned by the infinite recyclability of aluminium; its strength-to-weight benefits for use in transportation; the replacement of plastic and steel with aluminium; and the energy efficiency of cast house recycling compared with primary production.

Drache will further strengthen the Group’s aluminium offering, and follows the previously announced £5.5m investment to update and expand the cast house capabilities in Hendersonville, US, a project which is progressing to plan and remains on track to complete in H1 2026.

The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing in the year ending November 30.